Secondary

[NorCal RF]

Beginning of week so I thought I would start a thread on the biggest issue with this team going into playoffs……….

Many have stated that Sneed n McVay did not address the secondary after last season. I can say fair. I’m not certain who we passed on at CB last draft as well as the mention by brasil on did not bring in a mid tier veteran CB. Would like to know in you all’s opinion who those players were both in last year’s draft and in FA. I Don’t know so asking you. But…………….

I can recap what they did do last off season as I know many of you can………….

Starting with trading first round pick to Atlanta. Never will I say that was a bad trade. And go back and read in here what most of you said at the time of the trade. You liked it a lot. This team will, as we all know, need to address what is next at QB soon as that trade certainly can help do that. It was a good n needed move. Granted this year’s group of QB’s dont look as promising as it once did but still a good trade. It can at the minimum be traded for another future 1st round pick.

Actual first pick last year. I got it and still do. We have been complaining in here for years that we need a top tier TE and I still say Ferguson will be that player. I’m rather certain of it. But to be fair ok those in the know can you share if you know what CB’s at that spot would have been a better pick. I’m asking not being sarcastic……………..

So what did they do last off season. Sign Landman. Granted cheap contract but no one is going to say now not a great signing. Again do we need to review posts in here from the past on our ILB sucked………..

Sign Ford. Another great signing, Not cheap mind you but again do we need to review posts in the past yelling for a big run stopper DL………

Extend A. Jackson and Dotson. Again great signings. Just go back to the Atlanta game last week and be reminded what the OL looks like when they are not in there……………

Signed Adams. Simple question. What would this receiver unit look like if they had not signed him. Let’s be honest it is Nacua n the TE’s when he has not been in there……………..

We have complained for years run the ball. And it is valid point. Well they extended Williams. Granted they could have waited but that hasn’t been a bad signing…………..

They spent $$$ on needs. Sure they could have spent it on the secondary but they probably viewed it as something they didn’t want to do in fear of the above would have been lost. Not easy decisions from their perspective I would guess. Easy for others to second guess and fair to also. And my bet is they felt good about Durant, Forbes, etc. More so than their WR unit after Nacua……….

Now agree you had Atwell that didn’t need to be signed as well as you have not played Hunter at all. Hard to argue a waste this season. So again just asking what names could have been paid in FA with the $10m that TA got as well as what CB’s instead of Hunter…………

No question this off season this team needs a serious addressing to its secondary…………..

[DVA_ram33]

With hindsight we should have let Atwell walk and gone after an FA corner

[NorCal RF]

With hindsight we should have let Atwell walk and gone after an FA corner

No argument. But whom. Who was out there for $10m……………….

[Cornell29]

With hindsight we should have let Atwell walk and gone after an FA corner

No argument there.

Imo if Mcvay knew that Adams was going to sign with Rams and 13 p would become very effective l, in hindsight, no way he signs TuTu.

[Cornell29]

With hindsight we should have let Atwell walk and gone after an FA corner

No argument. But whom. Who was out there for $10m……………….

You will have to comb through the free agents. You might be able to find a few, but with that said, finding a good starting CB for a 1 yr 10 million dollar deal, that fits the Rams heavy zone system, would have been hard

[NorCal RF]

With hindsight we should have let Atwell walk and gone after an FA corner

No argument there.

Imo if Mcvay knew that Adams was going to sign with Rams and 13 p would become very effective l, in hindsight, no way he signs TuTu.

So I honestly don’t know cornell. Do you know who was out there @ CB when we resigned TA………………..

[NorCal RF]

No argument. But whom. Who was out there for $10m……………….

You will have to comb through the free agents. You might be able to find a few, but with that said, finding a good starting CB for a 1 yr 10 million dollar deal, that fits the Rams heavy zone system, would have been hard

Thanks. I’m not in the mood to do that and it is why I have asked. But I agree not as easy as some make it out to be in that “well they just should have signed someone”……………….

[Cornell29]

No argument there.

Imo if Mcvay knew that Adams was going to sign with Rams and 13 p would become very effective, in hindsight, no way he signs TuTu.

So I honestly don’t know cornell. Do you know who was out there @ CB when we resigned TA………………..

I don't know. There might have been a few, but the chances of finding a good starting free agent CB on a 1 year deal is rare/low percentage.

[bigklein]

Good questions. It’s hindsight, but in the 4th round the Rams could have drafted Quincy Riley instead of Jarquez Hunter. https://saintswire.usatoday.com/story/s ... 964435007/

Instead, zero cornerbacks drafted.

[SoCalRam78]

Going to simplify this for this spring. Nothing to do about looking in past.

Long term QB. Obv this isn’t going to be easy. Not sure Rams will ever go rookie route. I always believe McVay would be a guy to have a rookie wait.

WR2. Adams is a stop gap. Everyone outside top 2 are JAGs (nor Cal fav term).

O Line: pencil this in every offseason. Will need tackle depth since Havs done. Not the biggest Dedrich guy and limmer got benched. Depth isn’t great. Starters solid.

DB: need a real CB1 if not two corners and I don’t think Curl can’t be upgraded on. If you keep Forbes, still need another corner.

Rams even after Lake and Land extensions and other guys being due will have plenty of cap room and 4 top 100 selections. Atl trade was good. We’d all have loved a 13th pick. Atl underachieved and should have won the south.

[Cornell29]

Good questions. It’s hindsight, but in the 4th round the Rams could have drafted Quincy Riley instead of Jarquez Hunter. https://saintswire.usatoday.com/story/s ... 964435007/

Instead, zero cornerbacks drafted.

When the draft came, Rams were still concerned about Corum health and needed a back to compliment KW. In hindsight, Hunter wasn't the right pick or position. Corum getting injured late last season, screwed the Rams in the playoffs vs eagles (I think he could have been a factor in such a close game) and this past draft too.

[NorCal RF]

So I honestly don’t know cornell. Do you know who was out there @ CB when we resigned TA………………..

I don't know. There might have been a few, but the chances of finding a good starting free agent CB on a 1 year deal is rare/low percentage.

Ok thanks. Gave me a name appreciate it………….

[UtahRam]

Imagine being a Jets fan. They didn't get one interception this year. That is an amazing stat.

I don't know where they rank statistically against the Rams but the secondaries for the Steelers and Ravens last night were laughably bad. There may be a premium on defensive backs in this year's draft.

[NorCal RF]

Imagine being a Jets fan. They didn't get one interception this year. That is an amazing stat.

I don't know where they rank statistically against the Rams but the secondaries for the Steelers and Ravens last night were laughably bad. There may be a premium on defensive backs in this year's draft.

Fact is there are a lot of bad secondaries in this league. I agree with you on your reference to those teams. Look at the Chicago/Niners game. Seattle last game against us. Now granted I think Seattle has a good secondary but not against our passing attack that night…………

I think what is damn frustrating is we have THAT offense this year. More so than any other team in the NFC. It will be a level of extreme anger by many, and IMO rightfully so, if this secondary causes us not to get to the SB with this offense……………..

[GoldenRam]

Hard to believe that Forbes was one off the lead in Passes defensed with 18.

[GoldenRam]

Quentin Lake was next highest .. with 10 passes defensed

[GlendoraRam]

Passes defended? That means other teams are throwing his way.. a LOT.

Annoys me when I hear people say “he was a first round pick!”

There have been plenty of first round picks who have been complete busts. Just because Washington really f..ked up on this pick, doesn’t mean we should have him on the roster.

[brasilrams]

This is a good thread and a solid opening post. I agree that the Rams did a lot of things right this offseason (Ford, AJ, Adams, etc.).

But this league is brutal. If you neglect even one key area and make multiple mistakes in talent evaluation — whether with players or coaches — assuming they can get the job done when they can’t, you end up paying the price.

I’m going to copy and paste my reply to NorCal from the other thread because I think it applies just as well here:

The Rams have tied roughly 90% of their money to the offense and only about 10% to the defense. We’re one of the teams with the least financial investment on the defensive side of the ball, and that’s simply not smart roster construction.

And it’s not just the secondary. Special teams alone cost us at least three games this season because the Rams hired an incompetent coach ( terrible resume ) and then took forever to fire him. That’s poor decision-making and slow corrective action.

In my opinion, the secondary is just one of several issues. The Rams had clear, pressing needs — cornerback, left tackle, among others — and chose not to address them in the last draft, opting instead for luxury picks.

I like Ferguson, but we already had three tight ends capable of getting the job done. A cornerback should have been drafted in the second round, and a left tackle should have been drafted in the next round .

As much as I like McSnead, they’ve been making too many mistakes across the board. Roster construction, positional prioritization, and resource allocation have all been questionable

[brasilrams]

Oh and I do agree Ferguson will be a very good player for us . I just think that a CB1 should have been drafted instead of him , since we have 3 PRODUCTIVE Tes and ZERO talent at the CB position. CB was (is) a pressing NEED , TE was(is) not .

[Truth]

Hunter and Tutu were clearly redundant assets on a team with CB issues

[therealheadslap75]

there were a bunch of free agent cornerbacks we could've signed

As usual for 1 million bucks the Baltimore Ravens got Chidobe Awuzie. 77.9 pff. 6'0 202 great size

Avonte Maddox about 1 million bucks for Detroit 77.9 pff

isaiah Rodger's MIN 72.5 pff

I would've drafted Will Johnson out of Michigan drafted by the cardinal at pick number 47, he was as high as the second rated cornerback before his injury after his injury he hasn't played as well. He's 6'2. 205 and he runs a 4.44

there are experienced veterans out there also we could've traded for someone, if needed and McVey want to get better at cornerback they could

[NorCal RF]

there were a bunch of free agent cornerbacks we could've signed

As usual for 1 million bucks the Baltimore Ravens got Chidobe Awuzie. 77.9 pff. 6'0 202 great size

Avonte Maddox about 1 million bucks for Detroit 77.9 pff

isaiah Rodger's MIN 72.5 pff

I would've drafted Will Johnson out of Michigan drafted by the cardinal at pick number 47, he was as high as the second rated cornerback before his injury after his injury he hasn't played as well. He's 6'2. 205 and he runs a 4.44

there are experienced veterans out there also we could've traded for someone, if needed and McVey want to get better at cornerback they could

And I appreciate that you provided names and the grades……...

[DelMar]

Annoys me when I hear people say “he was a first round pick!”

There have been plenty of first round picks who have been complete busts. Just because Washington really f..ked up on this pick, doesn’t mean we should have him in the roster.

Greg Robinson says ‘Hello’

[Cornell29]

there were a bunch of free agent cornerbacks we could've signed

As usual for 1 million bucks the Baltimore Ravens got Chidobe Awuzie. 77.9 pff. 6'0 202 great size

Avonte Maddox about 1 million bucks for Detroit 77.9 pff

isaiah Rodger's MIN 72.5 pff

I would've drafted Will Johnson out of Michigan drafted by the cardinal at pick number 47, he was as high as the second rated cornerback before his injury after his injury he hasn't played as well. He's 6'2. 205 and he runs a

there are experienced veterans out there also we could've traded for someone, if needed and McVey want to get better at cornerback they could

Maddox is a nickel. In hindsight Awuzi would have been a good signing, but before the season he was cut one year into his 3 year deal with Titans due to performance and injuries in 2024. Rams missed it, but this wasn't a obvious upgrade

I like Isiah Rodgers but he is a small guy, very similar to Cobie Durant.

Rams need a big corner to match up with bigger receivers. With that said he would be better than Forbes, D Will and Spoon.

Based off their performances the previous year, I'm not sure if any of these guys would have been looked at as a huge upgrade. In hindsight they are, but no one was beating down the door for these guys, as far as I can remember.

I did like Will Johnson, but he fell in the draft for a reason, he is coming off various injuries including a cartridge knee injury.

With that said, I agree, Rams screwed up. They should have addressed CB. They are paying big time for it.

[Jacksnow]

Beginning of week so I thought I would start a thread on the biggest issue with this team going into playoffs……….

Many have stated that Sneed n McVay did not address the secondary after last season. I can say fair. I’m not certain who we passed on at CB last draft as well as the mention by brasil on did not bring in a mid tier veteran CB. Would like to know in you all’s opinion who those players were both in last year’s draft and in FA. I Don’t know so asking you. But…………….

I can recap what they did do last off season as I know many of you can………….

Starting with trading first round pick to Atlanta. Never will I say that was a bad trade. And go back and read in here what most of you said at the time of the trade. You liked it a lot. This team will, as we all know, need to address what is next at QB soon as that trade certainly can help do that. It was a good n needed move. Granted this year’s group of QB’s dont look as promising as it once did but still a good trade. It can at the minimum be traded for another future 1st round pick.

Actual first pick last year. I got it and still do. We have been complaining in here for years that we need a top tier TE and I still say Ferguson will be that player. I’m rather certain of it. But to be fair ok those in the know can you share if you know what CB’s at that spot would have been a better pick. I’m asking not being sarcastic……………..

So what did they do last off season. Sign Landman. Granted cheap contract but no one is going to say now not a great signing. Again do we need to review posts in here from the past on our ILB sucked………..

Sign Ford. Another great signing, Not cheap mind you but again do we need to review posts in the past yelling for a big run stopper DL………

Extend A. Jackson and Dotson. Again great signings. Just go back to the Atlanta game last week and be reminded what the OL looks like when they are not in there……………

Signed Adams. Simple question. What would this receiver unit look like if they had not signed him. Let’s be honest it is Nacua n the TE’s when he has not been in there……………..

We have complained for years run the ball. And it is valid point. Well they extended Williams. Granted they could have waited but that hasn’t been a bad signing…………..

They spent $$$ on needs. Sure they could have spent it on the secondary but they probably viewed it as something they didn’t want to do in fear of the above would have been lost. Not easy decisions from their perspective I would guess. Easy for others to second guess and fair to also. And my bet is they felt good about Durant, Forbes, etc. More so than their WR unit after Nacua……….

Now agree you had Atwell that didn’t need to be signed as well as you have not played Hunter at all. Hard to argue a waste this season. So again just asking what names could have been paid in FA with the $10m that TA got as well as what CB’s instead of Hunter…………

No question this off season this team needs a serious addressing to its secondary…………..

Great post NC!

[Cornell29]

Rams only blitzed Cards 10 percent of the time. I disagree with this style of play. I get that Shula wants to protect the cbs by dropping as many people into coverage as possible, but I rather blitz and try to get to the qb before the qb find the open man.

[brasilrams]

Rams only blitzed Cards 10 percent of the time. I disagree with this style of play. I get that Shula wants to protect the cbs by dropping as many people into coverage as possible, but I rather blitz and try to get to the qb before the qb find the open man.

Against the cards we didn't need to blitz since the pressure was getting there with 4 but we have seen a bunch of times this pass rush struggling and even then, shula still refuses to blitz, that is when it is infuriating.

[Cornell29]

[Cornell29]